There are two problems with this “victory.” One, Samsung, facing a billion dollar fine and essentially having all of its products thrown off the American market, will almost certainly appeal. And bluntly it’s unlikely Apple will win such a thorough victory the second time around. There’s already chatter that Samsung can easily get this verdict overturned.

Secondly, Apple now has to win this fight against every other company in every other nation in the entire freaking world. It’s actually already lost one in South Korea. It’s currently got dozens of these cases going in countries across the world. It can’t win all of them, and those it doesn’t win, it’ll have to appeal. This isn’t even considering the distinct possibility Apple might lose a court case where it’s the defendant. You know, like the one Google has going against it right now.

It’s true that the company stands to make billions if these patents stand and Android users have to give Apple a nickel every time they have a little slidy unlocky thing or something. But eventually it’s going to realize it can’t win and will eventually do what this industry has done every time lawsuits fail like they always do: Get together, decide on some standards and move on.

In short, all that’s happened here is that Apple and Samsung have wasted an awful lot of money. Hooray?

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The judge in this case, Judge Koh had some incredible quotes about the whole thing:
“I need everyone to stay conscious during the reading of the jury instructions, including myself. … We’re going to periodically stand up, just to make sure we’re all alive.”